Word
attempt
Phoneticsat·tempt, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈtɛmpt/
UK/ɐtˈɛmpt/
Definitions
01to try
B1 · Intermediate
v. to try to do something, especially when it is difficult or you are not sure you will succeed.
v. to make an effort to achieve or complete a task, typically one that is challenging. Transitive — usually followed by a to-infinitive or a direct object.
日本語:試みる※
“He will attempt to break the world record during the race tomorrow.”
“The rescue team will attempt to reach the stranded climbers once the blizzard subsides and visibility improves.”
Usage
Commonly followed by a 'to' infinitive: 'attempt to do something'.
02an effort
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun
n. an act of trying to do something.
n. the act of trying to perform a task or achieve a goal.
日本語:試み※
“This was her second attempt at passing the driving test.”
“Despite a valiant attempt to secure the funding, the start-up was forced to downsize its operations.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'at' or followed by a 'to' infinitive.
03an attack
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Formal
n. an act of trying to kill someone or hurt them.
n. an unsuccessful effort to commit a violent act, particularly an assassination or a physical assault.
Español:atentado
“The president survived an assassination attempt early this morning.”
“Security forces were praised for thwarting an attempt on the prime minister's life during the public parade.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “attempt” in context.
Verb
01. make attempt
“He decided to make an attempt to climb the mountain despite the bad weather.”
verb + noun
02. represent attempt
“The new policy represents an attempt to reduce unemployment in the region.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. previous attempt
“The athlete learned from her previous attempt and improved her technique.”
adj + noun
04. successful attempt
“After several tries, he finally made a successful attempt to pass the exam.”
adj + noun
Noun
05. attempt fail
“Their first attempt failed, but they were determined to try again.”
noun + verb
Real-World Examples
“Jones’s face encroached on C’s, but with his hands full, the driver could only drop his head, putting his chin to his neck in an attempt to avoid his employer, the witness said.” “This is the latest attempt to change the US childhood vaccine schedule.” “Our attempts to get away from it all can often lead us right back to what we left home to avoid.” “But these aren’t ghosts; they are attempts by the ocean-being to communicate with the visitors by reading their minds and adopting the shapes it finds there.” Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd Proto-Italic *ad Proto-Italic *ad- Latin ad- Latin temptō Latin attemptōder. Old French atempterbor. Middle English attempten English attempt Late 14th century, as Middle English attempten, from Old French atempter, from Latin attemptō (“to try, solicit”), from ad- (“to”) + temptō; see tempt. The noun is from the 1530s, the sense "an assault on somebody's life, assassination attempt" (French attentat) is from 1580.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/attempt
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0